Instead of getting a macro lens,a friend suggested I do this. Is this a good idea?
February 10th, 2010 | 
Author: Get a 50mm lens and a close-up filter. Is this a good idea if I want to do a lot of macro photography? I really don’t want to spend too much on lenses. Thanks.
Posted in Macro Photography | 
Tags: 50mm Lens, Analytics, Close Up Filter, Friend, Getting, Good, Hot, idea, Instead, Lens Filter, lensa, Lot, macro, Macro Lens, Macro Photography, Social Networking, suggested, This
Close up filters work, but.. they add another layer of glass to your lens, allowing for more distortions, depending upon the quality of the filter.
Another inexpensive way to go would be to get a set of extension tubes. These tubes come in different lengths, and can be used individually or stacked together. They are hollow tubes, and sit between your lens and the body of the camera (you can use it on all your lenses). The tubes change the focal plane of the lens, turning it into a macro, without the distortion caused by filters. (which can only be used on the specific mm size of the lens) ..
http://www.amazon.com/Kenko-Auto-Extension-Tube-Set/dp/B000A1N8F8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1222778061&sr=8-1
Not a real good idea to do it if you want the best and the sharpest results, if not this is fine, adding more layers to the lens or stacking filters will form a vegetation and for macros I find it unpleasant,
if you are a canon user I do suggest you use the 180mm macro lens the best so far and takes good telephotos as well.
A set of extension tubes would be a better choice.
If you’re really wanting to get into macro photography, buy a real macro lens.
Close up filters do work and they can give you acceptable results at a really good price. They are more cumbersome to use as you have to take them on and off to change magnification and the photo will never be as crisp as a really good macro lens. But in my earlier photography days I got some good shots with them. As was mentioned here extension tubes are another option. They work well and do not tend to have the light drop off issues as much as teleconverters do. Still another thing you may try is looking places like adorama, craigs list and even your local camera stores for a good used macros lens.